The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-07-23
ALEXANDER MCPHERSON.
FLORIST.

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in large Gilt letters on the window as he
passed it that evening on his way 70 call on
Miss Insley- and the little landlady; for
he had no notion of calling on Miss Insley
without making some excuse to see the only
woman he had found time to admire dur
ing the many years he had knocked around
the world.
Reaching the house he rang the bell,
then brushed some imaginary specks of
dust off his broadcloth suit while waiting.
As he was engaged in giving an extra polish
TO his silk hat with a handkerchief, the
door opened, and he was caught Ill the act
by the llndadv, who smiled her welcome
as she invited him into her little private
parlor.
Sandy, after much hesitation and STAN
meriug told her he had Just bought out the
business of a well-knCwn florist on Four
tee tn street; and, being in need of a trust
worthy saleswOman, a friend of Miss Insley
had suggested she was a likely person for
the place, and perhaps would be glad of
the chance to fill il if the salary was suf-
ficjent
He wound up by few common place
questions here and there, by which means
he ascertained what salary Mrs. Campbell
thought the girl could get along comfort
ably with, and if she thought her capable
for the position.
Finally he produced huge bouquet that
he had brought with MIN and presented it
to the little Scotch landlady, saying:
i ha made sa BAUD, sayin' We air a
kenhy woman o my ain.
This so delighted her that she opened up
a vivacious conversation about life in the
Old country, etc. which lasted until almost
nine o'clock, when Sandy suddenly remem-
bered that If he was going to see Miss
lnsley that evening perhaps she had better
be called down stairs then
When Mrs. Campbell left the room to
cal Marie, Sandy gave vent to a nolseless
whistle, and thought to himself he had
started a bee in the little woman's bonnet
sooner than he anticipated; and he COM
mented, with a shrug of his shoulders and
chuckle, that she was moo sac baad
lukin ayther.
Mrs. Campbell soon returned with Marie,
and rs they came into the room together
Sandy quite made up his mind that he had
never seen two prettier- looking ladies at
any one time before In his life.
He looked Marie over with swift glance,
and shrewdly calculated that her pretty
face would soon attract enough custom to
quickly repay the loan from his employer.
He wondered what could be the reason of
his employers sudden interest in her.
Evidently he had never seen her to speak
with. Sandy mentally compared her to a
beautiful apparition, and truly she was
beautiful as she sat there in the full light
of the chandelier, backed by the old gold
and cardinal window drapery.
She was plainly alfred Her neat gray
meriuo dress showed S gns here and there
Of careful mending; but she was endowed
by nature with personal beauty that re-
quIred no fine garments to increase its
lOyelness, and no artificial means to add to
its attractIveness. Her deep chestnut hair
was smoothed back from her broad full
forehead, and plated in two rich braids,
the ends OF which reached below her waist
and rested IN her lap, where she toyed with
the pink ribbons that bound their ends
together by winding them in and out in her
tiny Ii gers. A slight raise of her finely
peucded eyebrows and partial opening of
her ruby lips which disclosed the whitest
of even teeth evinced the least surprise at
the unfelgned gaze of admiration which
Sandy had bestowed upon her.
1t vas quite apparent from Sandy's con-
fused manner that his rudeness was unin-
territorial, and little amused smile played
about the corners of Marie's mouth as
with slightly heightened color, she yelled
the lUSter of her bright hazel eyes with
their long sIlken lashes, and looked through
the window.
It was also evident that the little widow
was somewhat annoyed.
My dear" she said to Marie, "AIr. Nc
Pier on would like to speak with you
about a position in his store.
Ay, ay,' said Sandy, whose usually ready
wit bad been wool gathering Yes Ter
-ye ! moo tax it oonkind, my young led
die, We tax me sac mootch b surprise Ye
favor Their Iuks o me aud masters docther
II ther auld counthree soomthin' ooncom-
mon. All. an she was Their foine leddiel
| BEG your pardon, mees, I'm sure: but
wa sood'n loike, l cud ma help it." was
h ragged apology.
Ms. Campbell excused herself on the
plea Of some pressing household matter,
and left Sandy to unfold his offer to Miss
InsIey.
After consulting with her mother, to as
certain if she favored the proposal Marie
returned TO the parIor and told Sandy she
was obliged by his kind offer, and she felt
pleased to accept it.
Sandy then managed to obtain a few
minutes more conversation with the little
landlady, who gave him very pleasant in
yltauon to call again, as she CONTESTED a
goodnight to him on his departure
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